Journal-box lid



L. w. HOSTETTLER JOURNAL Box LID Filed Nov. 23, 1923 W/T/VE65E5 g Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

Ultl'lED STATES Parana series.

LEIGH VI. HOSTETTLER, OF TABENTUM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ALLEGHENY STEEL COMPANY, OF BBACKENEIDGE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPQRATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

Application filed. November 23, 1923.

JOURNAL-BOX LID.

serial No. 676,560.

This invention relates to journal box lids hinge pin. The stirrup or bar support is and closing means therefor.

An object of this invention is to provide a closing means for journal box lids, whereby the lid when in closed position is caused to bear on the top as well as the bottom of the box face.

A further object is to provide a closing means for journal box lids whereby the journal box may be effectually closed by the lid even though large clearances exist between the lid scrolls and the hinge pin or between the hinge pin and the box lug pin hole.

A still further object is to provide a jour:

nal box lid of the above type which is particularly adapted for use on a standard A. R. A. (American Railway Association) journal box;.

These and other objects which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, I aocomplishby means of my invention one embodiment of which is shown, by way of example, in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a journal box lid embodying a form of this invention and Fig. 2 is a central'cross section of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Although it will be obvious that this invention is applicable to journal box lids generally I have shown the illustrated embodiment of my invention. as applied to a standard A. R. A. journal box 1 which is provided on the top witha conventional, central hinge pin lug 2 having the usual angularly disposed bearing faces 3 andl. A lid 5 is hinged to the box lug by means of scrolls 6 formed on the lid which embrace the outer ends ofa hinge pin 7 extending through a hinge pin hole 7' in the box lug. The scrolls are preferably provided with. hinge pin retaining ears 8, as

shown in Patent Number 1,425,092, issued to me on August 8, 1922.

The lid is provided with a depending r guard flange 9 and with a projecting lip 10 by means of which it may be lifted to open position.

The lid closing device includes a bar 11, preferably of channel shape, and provided with a supporting boss 12. A bar supporting stirrup 13 engages the boss 12 and holds the bar in operative position. The stirrup 13 is supported from the hinge pin by strap members 14 which are pierced to receive the independent of the lid and capable of relative movement thereto about the hinge pin.

The upper end of the bar 11 has a slot 15 in which is rotatably mounted a roller 16 adapted to cooperate with the angular bearing faces 3 and 1 of the box lug. The other end of the bar 11 extends downwardly adjacent the box lid to which it is loosely connected by means of a bolt 17 secured to the box lid and extending through a slot 18 in the barll. A coil spring 19 surrounds the bolt between the bar 11' and the box lid and tends to force these two members apart. A nut 20 is threaded on to the bolt 17 and is itdapted to vary the tension of the spring 9. v

The lid closing bar 11 is adapted to fulcrum on the supporting stirrup 13 and the coil spring 19 maintains the roller 16 in contact with one or the other of the bearing faces on the box lug and also causes the lid to bear on the top as well as the bottom of the ournal box when the lid is in closed position. The extent to which the spring 19 separates the bar 11 and the lid 5 is determined by the position of the nut 20 on the bolt 17. In opening the lid the roller 16 rides upward on the bearing face 4; of the box lug and on to the bearing face 3, during which movement the bar 11 fulcrums in the stirrup 13 against the tension of the spring 19. The lid is held closed by the pressure of the bar 11 on the spring 19 caused by the roller forcing the upper end of the bar outwardly.

Relatively large clearances between the hinge pin and the hole in the lug are not only permissible but are desirable. Relatively large clearances are also provided between the hinge pin and the lid scrolls, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. The combination with a journal box having a hinge-pin lug provided with angularly disposed bearing faces, of a hinge pin extending through said lug, a lid hinged on said pin, a rigid member adapted to press said lid closed, at one end cooperating with said bearing faces and at the other end yieldingly associated with said lid and a support for said member mounted on said pm.

2.The combination with a journal box having a hinge-pin lug provided with angularly disposed bearin faces of a hinge pin extending throu h said lug, a lid mounted on said pin, a bar adapted to press said lid closed, at one end cooperating with said bearing faces and at the other end loosely bolted to said lid, a spring interposed between said bar and lid, means for limiting the expansion of said spring and a support for said bar mounted on said pin.

3'. The combination with a journal box having a hinge-pin lug provided with angularly disposed bearing faces of a. hm e pin extending throu h sa d lug, a bar adapted to press said 1i closed and provided with a supporting boss, said bar at one end having a roller mounted to cooperate with said bearing faces and at its other end provided with a slot and bolt connection to said lid, a spring interposed between said bar and lid, and a supporting stirrup for said bar mounted on said hinge pin and engaging said supporting boss. I

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 20th" day of No- I vember, 1923. i p v LEIGH W. HOSTETTLER. 

